Zonamaga

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Fisgenta' (Tango Magenta)

Summary: 'Zonamaga' differs from the reference variety, 'Fisgenta' mainly in leaf size and colour, leaf zonation, intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the peduncle and petal markings. The leaves of 'Zonamaga' are longer and wider than those of 'Fisgenta'. The foliage of 'Zonamaga' is light to medium green whereas it is dark green in 'Fisgenta'. The conspicuousness of the leaf zone of 'Zonamaga' is medium to strong whereas it is weak in 'Fisgenta'. There is no anthocyanin colouration on the peduncle of 'Zonamaga' whereas it is weak to medium in intensity on 'Fisgenta'. The upper petals of 'Zonamaga' have weakly striped petal markings whereas they are weak to medium stripes and blotches on 'Fisgenta'. The lower petals of 'Zonamaga' have no petal markings whereas they are present in 'Fisgenta'.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, short to medium height, narrow to medium width, medium to many branches
STEM: green, medium thickness, dense pubescence

LEAF: medium to long, medium to broad, open base
MARGIN: bicrenate, lobing present, shallow incisions, medium waviness
UPPER SIDE: dense pubescence, light to medium green, no variegation
LEAF ZONE: medium to strong, reddish brown, normal position
PETIOLE: medium in length, dense pubescence

INFLORESCENCE: magenta colour group, low number per plant, medium diameter
PEDUNCLE: short to medium, dense pubescence, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: bud elliptic, semi-double, medium diameter, medium number of petals, margin entire
UPPER PETAL: narrow to medium, upper side dark pink red to purple red (RHS 52A with N57A in the midzone) on margins and in the middle, very weak red striped markings, pink red at base with very small white zone, lower side dark pink red (closest to 52A)
LOWER PETAL: medium in width, upper side bright purple red (more red than RHS N57A) with no markings and very small white zone at base, lower side purple red(more red than N57A-B)
PEDICEL: medium length, dense pubescence, dark red on middle third, swelling absent
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green with red at base

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zonamaga' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 1999. The female parent, identified as H2182-1 was crossed by the male parent, identified as T010. A single seedling was selected in April 2000 and propagated by cuttings. The new pelargonium was tested one year later at greenhouse and field performance trials in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands and evaluated for criteria including earliness, good branching, good and stable flower colour, flower size, rich and continuous flowering and resistance against Botrytis. In the same year it was tested in Sarrians, Southern France for heat resistance and resistance to drought stress.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Zonamaga' were conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2006 at St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of the candidate and reference varieties. Rooted cuttings were planted into 10 cm pots on May 1, 2006 and then transplanted into 20 cm pots on June 26, 2006. Measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Zonamaga' with reference variety 'Fisgenta'

Leaf length (cm)

Leaf width(cm)

Colour upper petal (RHS)

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Pelargonium: 'Zonamaga' (left) with reference variety 'Fisgenta' (right)

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Pelargonium: 'Zonamaga' (left) with reference variety 'Fisgenta' (right)